g HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



interest even predated Sputnik, for on August 29, 1957, Fulton dropped 

 in a resolution "To establish a joint committee on Earth satellites 

 and the problems of outer space.'' He reintroduced the resolution on 

 January 9, 1958. 



THE HIGH HOPES OF OVERTON BROOKS 



Brooks, who next to Chairman McCormack proved to be the most 

 active member of the select committee, had high hopes that he rather 

 than McCormack would become chairman of the new committee. As 

 second-ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, 

 Brooks was constantly in the shadow of the Chairman, Carl Vinson, 

 who ruled his committee with an iron hand. Brooks was an ambitious 

 man who wanted to advance to be Governor of Louisiana or perhaps 

 U.S. Senator, and to do so he wanted and needed publicity in the 

 Shreveport and other Louisiana papers. Brooks was frustrated that 

 Chairman Vinson was the center of attention, always in the spotlight. 

 Vinson, who thoroughly mastered every detail and always did his 

 homework, did not have a very high regard for Brooks and shuddered 

 at the thought that he was in line to be Armed Services chairman after 

 Vinson retired or passed on. 



With a nose for publicity, Brooks saw an opportunity to ride the 

 tremendous public interest in space. He dropped in two resolutions- 

 one to create a joint committee on space, and one to set up a House 

 "Special Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration," thus 

 hoping to be named chairman of the new body. Speaker Rayburn 

 wanted a strong chairman to match Senate Majority Leader Johnson. 

 Therefore, although Brooks had introduced House Resolution 474 on 

 February 10, and McCormack's Resolution 496 did not see the light of 

 day until March 5, it was McCormack's resolution which was taken 

 up in the House. As a matter of fact, the McCormack resolution breezed 

 through the House without so much as touching base with the Com- 

 mittee on Rules, where the Brooks resolution had languished un- 

 touched since February 10. 



Brooks was miffed, but like a good soldier he told the House: 



It has been decided best not CO take up my resolution, but rather to put support 

 behind the present resolution. I am therefore supporting the present resolution with 

 all of the enthusiasm I can command 



Despite his disappointment at failing to be named chairman of the 

 select committee, Brooks showed a clear understanding of the nature 

 and purpose of the committee. He also was one of the earliest to sp< ak 

 out for "the need for scientific education," which he stressed during 

 the debate on the McCormack resolution. 



